High-pressure strainer and method for cleaning or exchanging the strainer-baskets.



A. AKERS. HIGH PRESSURE-STRAINER AND METHOD FOR'CLEANING 0R EXCHANGING THE STRAINER BASKETS.

l APPLICATION man Dsc. 1. uns. 1,269,571.

N nx ATTORNEY A. AKERS. HIGH PRESSURE STRAINER ANI) METHOD FOR CLEANING OR EXCHANGING THE STRAINER BASKETS..

APPLICATION FILED DEC. 7. |916.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

, Mrdollnoillonll IN VEN TOR. xeZ Aliens* A TTORNE Y A-AKERS.

HIGH PRESSURE STRAINER AND METHOD FOR CLEANING 0R EXCHANGI'NG THE STRAINER BASKETS.

IIPPLICTION FILED DEC. 1916.

1,269,571 Patented June 18, 1918.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

, strainers were alternately thrown UNITED STATES PATENT oFFIcE.'

AXEL AKEBSQF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

menrimssuna STBAINEB.

the water in order to obviate injurlous effects on the pumps, condensers, orv other plant machinery. The practice of placing large screens at the intake pipe has been abandoned in view of the inaccessible location in which the screens invariably are placed, thus rendering necessary frequent cleaning unwarrantedly diiiicult. The later practice consisted in the replacing of the Hat screens by so-called twin strainers of the basket type, arranged in a valved housing. By the operation of Atwo valves the in and out of service, so that the strainer basket not in use could be subjected to cleaning or repairs. a

While the present practice has certain undeniable advantages over the old method, it nevertheless does not meet the requirements of high pressure systems, and the principal object of this invention consists in the provision o f a high pressure strainer containing a plurality of baskets with fine mesh` which may be removed for cleaning or repairs without entailing the necessity of reducing the pressure of the system, or in any manner interfering with the operation.

A further object consists in providing the strainer with additional chambers, termed the charging and discharging chamber respectively, which normally are not in communication with the interior' of the strainer, but maybe placed in communication therewith when a4 defective er clogged basket is to be moved thereinto.

Another object constitutes the provision `of novel means -for conveniently shiftingA a i Specification of Letters Patent'.

AND METHOD ronscLEANING `on. EXCHANGING THE sTnnNEnfnAsxE'rs.

Patented k.time is, 17918.

p. Application led December 7, 1916. Serinallo. lsv/5,560.

basket into one of the additional chambers, from where it can beeasily removed,

It is a further object of the invention to provide means for equalizing the pressures in the additional chambers andin the interior of the strainer proper, pr ir to moving a repaired or cleaned basket into operative position, or'moving a Idefective basket into one of said chambers.

A still further ohiect consists in the provision of additional chambers at both ends of the strainer', so that'the chambers may be alternately used ascharging and discharging chamber, in accordance with the location of the defective strainer basket. r.

A further object constitutes the `elimination of air pockets which reduce the effectiveness of suction set up by the engines, and the cbviation of all obstructions, other than .the'strainer baskets, in the path of the fluid.

It is also an object of the invention to provide certain details and features of construction and combinations tending 'to' increase the eectiveness and general desirability of a device of this particular character.y

With these and other objects in view, the. preferred embodiment of the invention consists in the novel combination and arrangement of parts to be hereinafter described and specifically pointed out in .the appended claims. In the accompanying drawings,

Figure 1 isatop plan view of the improved strainer with parts broken away to disclose the interior thereof.

Fig. 2 is a section on line 2-2 `of Fig. 1'. Fig. 3 is a front elevational view of the strainer.

Fig. 4 is a section on line 4 4 of Fig. 1. Referring to the drawings, 1 generally designates the main casing 'formed with an inlet opening 2, to which a suction pipe (not shown) is connected, and with an outlet opening 3, to which a delivery pipe (not shown) is connected, the other end of which -is appropriately connected t`o a pump. conas ,a river, pond, or creek. A plurality of standards 4 'and 5 serve to-maintain the casing 1 .in operative position, such that a plurality of trainer baskets 6 are' held with their longitudinal axes in horizontal position.

The casing is provided with an interior raceway 7 formed by a shoulder 8 and a longitudinally extending rib 9, arranged approXimately midway between the inlet and outlet openings and directed downwardly and rearwardly from the upper wall of the casing. Similarly, a guide rib 1() extends upwardly from the lower wall of the casing. By reference to Fig. 2 it will be noted that the upper wall ofthe casing in back vof the basket strainers is flush with the highest point thereof, so that air ockets cannot eX- ist. In the rib 9, a plurali 8 are rovided. To provide .for the necessary clldarance between the two baskets at the left-hand side respectively located in the chamber 24 and casing 1, so that the valve 20 may be lowered into closing position, the handle 40 or the appel-taining rod 35 is moved in proper direction, whereby the baskets in the casing recede from the basket in the chamber 24. Thereupon the valve 30 'may be closed. Similarly, in exchanging a defective basket at the right-hand side, handle 40 or the rod 35 adjacent to the vchamber 23 is rotated .to provide clearance between the baskets to enable the valve 29 to be lowered into closing position. The basket strainers 6, in the form of cylinders, are made of a foraminous plate of any suitable material, such as brass, and are open at their rear end for the ingress of the water. The

forward end of the baskets is closed by a flaring portion 11, also perforated,'s0 that water may have egress through the walls of the baskets or through the flaring portion 11.

As will be seen by reference to Fig. 2, the strainer baskets are secured at their forward and rear ends to castings 12 and 13 respectively, by being riveted thereto or fastened in any other suitable or preferred manner. rEhe casting 13 is in the forni of a square plate, 'the upper portion of which projects into the raceway 7 and bears against the longitudinal rib 9. The lower end is horizontally extended and rests on a plurality of bearing rollers 14 rotatably secured to the vertical web of a longitudinally disposed channel 'iron V15 resting with one of its flanges on supports 16 projecting upwardly from the lower wall of the casing. The bottom of the casting 13, rearwardly of the rollers 14, is formed with gear teeth constituting a rack 17 for a purpose hereinafter further explained.

The casting 12, as best shown in Fig. 3,

forms a bearing for the lower part of the strainer basket at its forward end, and is also secured thereto in any approved or suit- .able manner. This casting is supported by a plurality of rollers 18 rotatably secured to the vertical leg of an angle iron 19, llongitudinally extending parallel to the channel ty of drain holes iron 15 and supported by bearings 20, which project upwardly from the lower wall of the casing. The casting 12 is also horizontally yextended and is formed at theforemost portion of its bottom side with a rack 21. From the foregoingit is obvious thateach strainer basket together with its castings forms an entity and is slidably supported on rollers 14 and 18.

In accordance with the object of the invention, provisions are made for the ready removal of defective or clogged strainer l .baskets to be repaired or cleaned, as the occasion requires. To this end the casing 1 is formed at both sides with an additional chamber 23 and 24 respectively, which constitute a charging or discharging chamber for the removal or exchangepf the baskets. As is indicated in the several views, the additional chambers are provided with rails 25 and 26 respectively provided with rollthe appertaining rollers of the main casin and on the level therewith. .The additiona chambers are separated from the interior of the casing l by gate valves 29 .and 30, which in the present case are manually actuated. It is, however, within the scope of this invention to devise special means for the operation of these gate valves, or to employ.

rers 27 and 28, which are in alinement with y motors whereby the valves are opened and ions 38 and 39 arranged and adapted to mesh with the racks 17 and 21 respectively, of the basket strainers. ln order to facilitate rotation ot the rods, handles 40 are secured thereto at their rearmost ends.' In each of the additional chambers 23 and 24, a transverse rod 41 is journaled in bearings 42 and 43 secured to the rails 25 and 26. yPinions 44 andl 45 are arranged level with the pinions 38 and 39, and are also adapted to mesh with the appertaining racks of the strainer baskets. The rods 41 are each provided with a crank handle 46. At the lower` side of the additional chambers an opening 47 and 48 respectively, is provided and serves to connect the delivery pipe leading to the pump or condenser (not shown) with the interior of an additional chamber, such as by means of a bleeder.

A defective or clogged strainer basket is removed in the following manner:

Let it be assumed that the basket at the left hand side, as viewed in Fig. 3, is to be removed and another basket to be installed.

l into the auxiliary chamber 23 by opening the door 31 which subsequently is closed and locked in closed position. Thereupon communieation is established between the auxillar pipe (not shown) through the openings 47 and 48 whereby the pressures in the auxiliary chambers and the main casing are equalized. Subsequently both gate valves are opened and the 'crank handle 46 of the transverse rod 41 at the right hand side is turned. In the chamber 23 the strainer basket, of course, rests with its castings 12 andY 13 on the rollers 26 and 27. By virtue of the pinions 44 and 45 meshing with the racks of the strainer basket, the 'latter is shifted into the main' casing, provided the` crank handle is moved in the proper direction and, as will be readily understood, the

series of baskets in the casing are also disl placed. Thus the basket formerly located at the left hand side of the casing and which is to be replaced, 1s now forced into the auxiliary chamber 24, while the added basket occupies the position at. the right hand side in the casing, the said baskets occupying corresponding positions within the casing. Having thus shifted the strainer baskets, the gate valves are closed and the communication between the auxiliary chambers and the delivery pipe is terminated. The door of the auxiliary chamber 24 can then be lopened and the defective basket located therein can be removed for repairs.

The same procedure takes place, for instance, when the right hand basket, as viewed in Fig. 3, becomes defective or clogged, but in such case the yadditional chamber 24 becomes the charging chamber, while the chamber 23 assumes the function of the discharging chamber.

The ease with which the strainer baskets may bel exc-hanged or replaced is a. striking feature of the invention, in view of the fact that in high pressure systems cleaning of the baskets must be effected at frequent intervals and forms an important part in the operationof pumping stations or power plants in general. It is furthermore signiiicant that there is no obstruction offered to the flow of the fluid while changing the baskets'. The strainer area is no-t reduced by a gate valve or other means, in order to substitute a new basket for a clogged one. The latter quality of the improved device is of special value, as in view ofA the reduced strainer area and the increased friction on the remainder of the apparatus the output of the entire device cannot be appreciably curtailed.

chambers 23 and 24 and the deliveryJ casing, auxiliary chambers arranged at both ends of the strainer, and means for moving said baskets whereby one enters the adjacent vone of said chambers.

2. A high pressure strainer comprising a casing having an inlet and outlet opening,

a series of strainer baskets arranged in`sa1d casing, auxiliary chambers arranged. at both ends of said casing, means for slidingly supporting'said strainers, and-means for movingy said baskets whereby one enters the adl jacent one of said chambers.

3. A high pressure strainer comprising a casing having an inlet and outlet opening, auxiliary chambers arranged at both ends of said casing, a series of strainer baskets arranged in said casing with thelongitudinal axes in horizontal position, castings provided atboth ends of said baskets and secured thereto, rails extending longitudinally of said casing, bearing rollers on said rails supporting said castings, and means for moving said baskets whereby one enters the adjacent one of said auxiliary chambers.

4. A high pressure strainer comprising a casinghavingan inlet and outlet opening, said casing being formed with a longitudinal raceway, auxiliary chambers at both ends of said casing, a series of strainer baskets arranged in said casing with their longitudinal axes in horizontal position, castings provided at both ends of said baskets and secured thereto, one of saidcastings projecting into said raceway, rails extending longitudinally of said casing, bearing rollers on said rails, said castings being supported by said bearing rollers, and means for moving said baskets whereby one enters theadjacent one of said auxiliary chambers.

5. A high pressure strainer comprising a casing having an inlet and outlet opening, a series of strainer baskets arranged in said casing, auxiliary chambers arranged at both ends of said casing, means for placing said chambers in and out of communication with said casing, and means for horizontally moving said baskets whereby one enters the adjacent one of said chambers.

6. A high pressure strainer comprising a 'casing having an inlet and outlet opening, a4

series of strainer baskets arranged 1n said casing, auxiliary chambers arranged at both ends of said casing, valves interposed between said casing and said auxiliary chambers, and means for horizontally moving'A said baskets, whereby one enters the adjacent one of said chambers.

7 A high pressure strainer comprising a casing having an inlet and outlet opening, a series of strainer baskets arranged in said casing, auxiliary chambers arranged at both ends of said casing, valves interposed between said auxiliary chambers and said casing, said strainer baskets being arranged with their longitudinal axes secured in horizontal position, castings provided at both i.

ends of said baskets and secured thereto, rails extending longitudinally of said casing, bearing rollers on said rails, said castings being supported by said bearing rollers,

i and means for moving said baskets whereby one enters the adjacent one of said chambers.

8. A high pressure strainer comprising a casing having an inlet and outlet opening, said casing being formed with a longitudinal' raceway, auxiliary chambers arranged at both ends of said casing, valves interposed between said casing and said chambers, a series of strainer baskets arranged 1n said casing with their longitudinal axes in hori zontal position, castings provided at both ends of said baskets and secured thereto, one of said castings projecting into said raceway, rails extending longitudinally of said casing, bearing rollers on said rails, said castings being supported by said bearing rollers, and means for moving said baskets whereby one enters the adjacent one of said chambers.

9. A high pressure strainer comprising a casing having an inlet and outlet opening,

auxiliary chambers arranged at both ends of said casing, a series of strainer baskets arranged in said casing with their longitudinal axes in horizontal osition, castings provided at both ends in said baskets and secured thereto, rails extending longitudinally of at both ends of said casing, means for placing said chambers in and out of communication with said casing, means enabling the equalization of pressures in said casing and said auxiliary chambers, prior to establishment of communication, and means for horizontally moving said baskets whereby ,one enters the adjacent one of said chambers.V

1l. A high pressure strainer comprising a casing having an inlet and outlet opening, v

said casing being formed with a longitudinal raceway, auxiliary chambers at both ends of said casing, valves interposed'between said casing and .said chambers, a series of strainer basketsarranged in said casing with their longitudinal axes in horizontal position, castings provided at both ends of said baskets and securedfthereto,

l said 'casing being formed with a longitudinal raceway, auxiliary chambers at both ends of said casing, valves interposed between said casing and said chambers, means enabling. the equalization of pressures in said casing and said auxiliary chambers when said valves are closed, a series of strainer baskets arranged in said casing with their longitudinal axes in horizontal position, castings provided atboth ends of said baskets and secured thereto, one of said castings projecting into said raceway, rails extending longitudinally of said casing, ad-

ditional railsl extending longitudinally oi? said chambers and in alinement with said irst named rails, bearing rollers on all of said rails, said castings being supported by said rollers, and means for moving said baskets whereby one enters the adjacent one of said auxiliary chambers.

13. A high pressure strainer comprising a casing having an inlet and outlet opening, auxiliary chambers at both ends of said casing, a series of strainer baskets arranged in said casing with their longitudinal axes in horizontal position, a casting provided at both ends of said baskets and secured thereto, means for slidingly supporting said castings, said castings being formed with racks, and means engaging said racks for shifting said baskets, whereby one enters the adjacent one of said chambers.

14;. A high pressure strainer comprising a casing having an inlet and outlet vopening, auxiliary chambers at both ends of said casing, a series of strainer baskets arranged in said casing with their longitudinal axes in horizontal position, castings provided at v both ends of said baskets and secured thereto, rails extending longitudinally of said casing, bearing rollers on said rails supporting said castings, said castings being formed with racks, and means engaging said racks for shifting said baskets whereby one enters the adjacent one of said chambers.

15. A high pressure strainer comprising a casing having an inlet and outlet opening, said casing being formed with a longitudinal raceway, auxiliary chambers at both ends of said casing, said chambers being provided with doors, valves interposed between said casing and said chambers, means enabling the equalization of pressures in said casing and said auxiliary chambers, a series of strainer baskets arranged in said casing with their longitudinal axes in horizontal position, castings provided at both ends of said baskets and secured thereto, one of said castings projecting into said raceway, rails extending longitudinally of said casting, additional rails extending longitudinally of said chambers and in alinement with said first named rails, bearing rollers on all of said rails supporting said castings, said castings being formed with racks, and means engaging .said racks for shifting said baskets whereby one enters the adjacent one of said chambers, substantially as described.

16. A high pressure strainer comprising a casing having an inlet and outletopenv ing, a series of strainer baskets arranged in sald casing, auxiliary chambers arranged at both ends of said casing, -valves interposed between said casing and said chambers, and

means for selectively moving'the end baskets of said series into the appurtenant auxiliary chamber.

17. A high pressure strainer comprising a casing having an inlet and outlet opening,

Ia series of strainer baskets arranged in said casing, auxiliary chambers arranged at both ends of said casing, valves interposed between said casingl and said chambers, and means arranged at the casing and at the auxiliary chambers for selectively moving said baskets horizontally.

18. A high pressure strainer comprising a casing, a series of strainer baskets arranged in said casing, auxiliary chambers adapted to be placed in communication with said casing, and means for adding one basket to the series and displacing another into the adjacent one of said chambers.

19. In -a high pressure strainer, a casing containing a, series of strainer baskets, aux-l `iliary chambers adapted to be placed in communication with said casing, and means for adding abasket to the series and thereby forcing another. from said casing into an ad'acent one of said chambers.

testimony whereof I alix my signature.

AXEL AKERS. 

